Relationship Counseling Can Help If You Don’t Like Your Partner’s Parents

The stereotype of unbearable in-laws isn’t just for the movies. Many individuals struggle with liking or being accepted by their significant other’s parents or family members.

There’s a multitude of factors that could go into this: your partner’s mother may be overprotective, you might not share the same political or religious views, or they could have a strong attachment to your partner’s former boyfriend or girlfriend.

No matter why your significant other’s family is bugging you, it can cause an awkward situation for you and your partner. Be wary of venting to them about his or her family. After all, they are the people who raised your partner and are some of the people your partner loves most.

If the relationship between you and your partner’s family is starting to negatively affect your relationship with your partner, you may need to consider third-party mediation. Contact a Portland marriage coach for personalized suggestions and relationship counseling.

Also, if you are looking to get married (or have already tied the knot), you will become a part of your partner’s family, too. It’s important to at least make an effort to build a positive (or at the very least, civil) relationship with your partner’s family.

How to Build a Relationship with Your Partner’s Family

You know the phrase, “kill them with kindness?” Well, in the case of unbearable in-laws, this is usually a safe solution.

In an ideal world, you would love to be around your partner’s family. And with time and patience, hopefully you can learn to love them.

But this is something that is going to be a lot harder if you have to carry the memory of ugly arguments and hurt feelings with you. Plus, using kindness and bringing positivity into your relationship will speed up the process of forming a loving bond between you and your partner’s family.

That being said, you should not be afraid to put your foot down if the family continues to make you uncomfortable. If your partner’s father, for example, consistently harasses you about your political views, talk to your partner about the best way to confront his or her father and talk about your feelings.

Kindness is key to winning someone over, but this should not be confused with being a pushover. Sincerely hurtful comments or actions from your partner’s family should be addressed.